In this article

A Filtering Policy controls the type of content allowed on your network and blocks internet threats like Malware, Phishing, and Botnets. 

Policies are defined and stored within the DNSFilter infrastructure. Policies are processed in the cloud and settings never exist locally on any device, ensuring that policy changes happen quickly and do NOT require the Roaming Client to sync these changes.

With pricing plans Pro and above Filtering Policies can be applied to the User, Collection, Relay, Roaming Client, and Site attribute of the environment. 

Policies are used to achieve several outcomes:

• Block broad categories of domains–e.g. Drugs, Adult Content, Social Media–through Filtering Categories
• Block or allow specific domains on the Block or Allow List
• Customize what users see when they surf to a blocked website
• Set time-of-day restrictions through Filtering Schedules

Create a Filtering Policy

Follow these steps to create a Filtering Policy.

1. From the DNSFilter dashboard, navigate Policies and select Filtering
2. Select Add
3. Enter the Policy Name
   Choose a name that describes the policy’s purpose
4. Select Create
5. Navigate through these tabs to configure the Filtering Policy
   a. Categories: block broad categories of unwanted content. Select all that apply
   b. SafeSearch: moderate content on search engines like Google, Bing, etc. Toggle all that apply
   c. Threats: protect against common cyber security threats
   d. AppAware: Blocking an app that can be downloaded is complex. AppAware removes the complexity from this action by providing the customer with the necessary associated domains to successfully block an app
   e. Allow list and Block list: allows you to type in specific domains or upload a CSV file of domains to either allow or block
   f. Advanced: Perform advanced functions like setting alternate DNS servers and enabling advanced filtering categories such as Malicious Domain Protection

Each tab’s settings save automatically once selected. This Filtering Policy is now available to add to the desired attribute from your DNSFilter dashboard:

• Site 
• Relay
• Roaming Client
• Collection
• Users

If you’re completing your initial setup, continue to customize a block page for your users. 

Filtering Policies can take up to 15 minutes to take full effect across all nodes on your network; however, most times they take effect immediately.

Filtering Policy Troubleshooting

Follow these articles to troubleshoot common Filtering Policy issues.

• Find related domains through the Query Log when websites don't fully load
• Review possible errors when an Allowed website is blocked or a Blocked website is accessible
• Not seeing policy changes reflected in query returns? Try clearing your browser and operating system cache